Ideas and thoughts - Aftermarket Seats

Oh mighty .org,

This idea was thought up quite a while ago by Spannerman whilst talking to my Dad.

A bit of background info...

Dad has been a trimmer (think that is the term I am looking for) for many years, I think maybe since he left school at 16. He's worked for various companies; RLE, LDV, and is currently at Aston Martin. His roles at the moment (from what i know) consist of making the interior components (leather components, ie. Dash, insides of doors), seats and other bits and bobs. He's got a sniff of rumours pumping around that they are going to be sacking off quite a lot of people within the next year. They have already got rid of his brother (they decided the contractors were first) from there. He is in charge of a team of people and is the person who has to go to the cars if there is a final problem that needs correcting and give answers.

Now, back to the discussion with Spannerman...He told Stewart what he actually did, Stew confirmed that the motorcycle world doesn't have a vast range to choose from when it comes to aftermarket seats, be it gel seats, lowered etc, and could possibly be something for him to look into...

With him biting his nails (he would kill me for saying that), would it be a viable option for him to look into doing something like this?

I suppose that the best guy to talk to about it to would be Lozzo because I think he is in or was around the same line of work?

I (& he) already know that there would be the problems of getting the business idea and trading up and running, he's had to do it before and does have his own company that i believe is still doormant so an available option. Maybe for the first few months, and while word gets thrown about he could just do the work in the evenings and weekends, then consider dotting the i's and crossing the t's to make things a more permanent and reliable option to fall back on should he lose his job.

Can people give me some feedback on the idea please Suggestions are also welcome.

Stu

[dizzyblonde]

Well if hes got a talent for it why not. Theres a guy in Hudderfield that specializes in doing custom and gel seats...Tony Archer or something. Hes well known up and down the country, sure I recommended him to Stewie when he was on the search. The guy did the Raptor seat for Im Indoors.
Theres not many of them about that do it well, like I say if your old mans got a talent for it why not

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Well if hes got a talent for it why not. Theres a guy in Hudderfield that specializes in doing custom and gel seats...Tony Archer or something. Hes well known up and down the country, sure I recommended him to Stewie when he was on the search. The guy did the Raptor seat for Im Indoors.
Theres not many of them about that do it well, like I say if your old mans got a talent for it why not

Thanks Dizz, may actually give the guy a ring and pick his brains for some idea's, he might not want to give too much away for loss of his trade. Worth a punt though.

Just had a look at a few forums discussing Tony Archer, seems like he is actually a very well known, highly spoke of name.

I'd be first in the queue for a lowered (ish) gel seat for a curvy, the option available to me is the suzuki aftermarket one that leaks apparantly!!

I ordered a gel seat from the USA, £88 quid delivered, so they are cheap - but like Artylady above, maybe the niche market is for curvys or discontinued models because it may be hard to compete with aftermarker shops prices.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by plowsie

Just had a look at a few forums discussing Tony Archer, seems like he is actually a very well known, highly spoke of name.

Yes hes probably the best there is.

Dizzy recommended Tony Archer to me for a seat for my girlfriends Dad. We're off through to 'Uddersfield this weekend to get it sorted.

Sounds like an excellent idea Plows. No better time if theyre making people redundant. Just wait for the pay out.

[embee]

There are actually several places around, http://www.ppseat.co.uk/ , http://www.motorbike-seats.co.uk/ to name but two, plus Tony Archer mentioned before. Then there's the likes of Bagster and Corbin.

I'd guess you could make some money on it providing you don't need to find premises etc with all the associated overheads, though I doubt you'll get rich quick. The motorbikeseats guy works from a big shed in his garden, but seems to do OK.

Just like any other business, do the sums, don't be too optimistic, work out the cashflow and see if you can live on it.

Right people, looks like this is going to be going ahead for dad for a bit of sidework whether he loses the job at Aston or not. Will keep this thread updated, as he's having my rear seat first to start out on.